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Clinical Lycanthropy

Jennifer Lynn Krohn

“Nothing about her is human except she is not a wolf.” — Angela Carter

I made an appointment.
After I threw a glass
against the wall to see

if I could shatter
something. After I tore
pages from my favorite

childhood books,
the stuffing out
of a beloved teddy bear.

After I lost my words,
could only scream.
After I dreamed

that I stood between
two Carnac stones
waiting for wolves.

I wanted to tell
the doctor I’m pregnant
with rage. I feel it

stretching my skin.It will tear openmy abdomen.

A muzzled headwill emerge, followedby a pair of hairy arms.

The rest of my fleshpulled off like a limpdress. I was terrified

she’d take my metaphors
literally. Instead I saidI’m pissed off

all the time. I needto know how
to control my anger.

She explainedOnly men have angerissues. You’re just

depressed. Even simple
language cannot
be believed. I filled

the prescriptions,
went to bed.
A wisdom tooth cutting

my gums woke me.
I ran my tongue
over the knife-sharp edge.

***

Jennifer Lynn Krohn was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she currently lives with her husband. She earned her MFA from the University of New Mexico, and she currently teaches English at Central New Mexico Community College. She has published work in Glass: A Journal of Poetry, Necessary Fiction, Storm Cellar,Tinderbox Poetry Journal, and Gingerbread House Literary Magazine among others.